John (pictured right) and Raegan Lucio celebrated 25 years of marriage on Dec. 2 – but though their milestone was far from traditional, there was certainly no shortage of love and joy.
The couple, from Graysville, Ohio, found themselves at WVU Medicine Rosenbaum Family House as Raegan was in town
to receive treatment at the WVU Cancer Institute’s Osborn Hematopoietic Malignancy and Transplantation Program. Despite the circumstances, John was determined to celebrate their anniversary in style and the first step was buying a new suit.
John’s quest took him to Daniels men’s store where he found much more than clothing. Once Saul Radman, the store’s owner, found out John was staying at Family House, the two became fast friends. Radman, the brother of Family House founder Hilda Rosenbaum, shared stories of Hilda and the Family House’s history as the two men shared tears along with an immediate bond.
“When John returned to the Family House he said he couldn’t believe the kindness he has received here and was amazed, and touched by the stories Saul told him,” Family House coordinator and public relations specialist Pam Shriver said.
Later, John donned the new suit and walked past the front desk at Family House en route to pick up Chinese food to take to his wife. He also had a flower arrangement hidden in his car.
“We told him we wanted to see him all dressed up so he stopped by on his way out,” Shriver said. “He was so proud and looked so handsome. When we asked if we could take a picture, he excitedly asked if we would like to see the flowers he had bought and he went to the car to get them. He was so very proud of the beautiful arrangement and the surprise he was about to give his wife.”
The arrangement included silver to mark their 25th anniversary. Shriver thanked John for letting her and the staff at Family House in on his special moment and he returned the gratitude.
“He said, ‘if we weren’t able to stay at the Family House, I would never have been able to do this for my wife,’ ” Shriver said. “With a tear in all of our eyes, John left to get his Chinese food and make his wife’s day so very special.”
Shriver said as an extra surprise, Family House arranged to have more flowers sent to their room.